With diversity growing in Northwest Arkansas, there is an increasing need to aid new residents who don’t speak English as a first language.
Ozark Literacy Council in Fayetteville is a nonprofit organization focused on promoting community and inclusion through free literacy programs.
Founded in 1964, OLC offers a variety of clubs, events, and tutoring sessions for students. Additionally, resources such as books are provided at the facility.
Over the past few years, OLC has encountered numerous COVID-related struggles and forced adaptations, including hosting remote-instruction sessions at the peak of the pandemic. Katie Serio, communications and outreach manager, said the transition to virtual meetings was especially difficult for students who may lack necessary resources. However, she said the organization is getting closer to fully returning to its pre-pandemic modes of operation.
Along with current staff members, the organization enlists the help of volunteers to run these programs, regardless of experience level in teaching and tutoring. Serio said monthly tutoring trainings are offered for people wishing to get involved with the organization.
“Our next tutor training is Nov. 28 at 5:30 p.m.,” Serio said. “We won’t have one in December because during the holidays, we’re closed a lot. We’ll have one again in January. So that really prepares you for what you need to do.”
Along with tutoring, volunteers can also collaborate with OLC students to start clubs geared toward promoting community by sharing each other’s hobbies and cultures. Lisa Waldron, OLC community manager, said one group for example, the “chat-and-knit” conversation club, meets twice a month Wednesdays and is co-led by a tutor and her student. Waldron added that tutor-student pairs are actually conversation partners, and that’s really what these activities are all about. Serio also echoed this sentiment regarding the collaboration involved in organizing these events.
Secondarily, clubs can also help OLC to attract new students. Waldron said clubs are a great outreach opportunity to attract potential volunteers as well.
“It’s a way to enter our OLC space, our OLC family,” Waldron said, “and try it out and see if someone likes participating before they commit to coming to class regularly or volunteering to tutor regularly. So it gives one more layer of relationship and one more doorway into our family.”